Collapsible box



Dec. 5, 1933. M J SCHULTZ 1,938,225

' COLLAPSIBLE BOX Filed NOV. 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

I Mrl.5EH1JLT2-- Fj 1i [0 BY ATTORNEY.

Dec. 5, 1933- H LT 1,938,225

COLLAPS IBLE BOX Filed Nov. 14. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

M. SCHULTZ Patented Dec. 5, 1933 COLLAPSIBLE BOX Magnus J. Schultz, Mason City, Iowa Application November 14, 1931 Serial No. 575,103

3 Claims.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a foldable or collapsible box that possesses great rigidity when in use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a collapsible box or container that cannot be placed into or accidentally assume a folded condition when the lid of the same is in a closed position.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a box or container that may be easily and quickly placed in either an extended or folded condition.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a foldable box that when in a collapsed condition occupies a minimum amount of space.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a collapsible box or container that is economical in manufacture and durable in use.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 7 My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. .1 is a side view of my complete invention ready for use withdotted lines showing the inward movement of the two ends of the box when it is desired to place it in a collapsible condition.

Fig. 2 is an end view of my invention with dotted lines showing the movement of the sides of the same when placing the box in a folded condition.

Fig. 3 is an end view of a portion of my box when in a folded or collapsible position.

Fig. 4 is a side view of one end portion of my box which more fully illustrates its construction.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the invention taken on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of ametal constructed box further illustrating my invention.

Fig. 'I isan enlarged side sectional view showing-one oi the hook members in an operative position for holding the box in an extended condition.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of the invention-showing the front of one of the hinged end members and notch for receiving the hook member.

Fig. 9 is a top view of one of the corners of the invention with the box top removed.

Fig. 10 is a modified form of construction of my invention.

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of the modified corner construction shown in Fig. 10 and is taken on line 11-11 of that figure.

A great amount of merchandise today is being transported and shipped by automotive vehicles such as trucks. Much of this merchandise, such asmeat and-.otherz'goodais placed in boxes or con- (Cl. 21'I12) tainers while in transit. The empty boxes on the return trip fill up the truck, thereby preventing the hauling of certain other merchandise. Furthermore, these empty cumbersome boxes prevent the loading of the back end of the truck before they are removed. Although my collapsible or foldable box may be used for many and varied purposes it is particularly adaptable for truck use to overcome the above designated difficulties. Referring to the drawings, I have used the numeral 10 to designate the bottom portion of the invention. Secured to each of the marginal side edge portions of the bottom 10 is an elongated low vertical side wall 11. These two members 11 are rigidly secured by any suitable means against movement to the bottom 10. The numerals 12 and 13 designate the vertical side walls of my box, which are hingedly secured to the two members 11 respectively, as shown in Fig. 2. These two sides 12 and 13 are so hinged that they may fold inwardly toward the bottom 10 from vertical upright positions. The numerals 14 and 15 designate the two ends of the box hingedly secured in any suitable manner to the bottom 10. These end members are capable of being folded inwardly toward each other and onto the bottom 10 from upright vertical positions, as shown in Fig. l. 1 The numeral 16 designates an elongated metallic groove U-shaped in cross-sectionrigidly secured on the'inner side near each of the ends of each of the side walls 12 and 13. These elongated metallic groove members on each of the sides are open. toward each other and have their lengths extending in vertical positions when the side wall to which they are secured also extends in a vertical position. The numeral 17 designates a bar member rigidly secured to each side end of each of the end members 14 and 15. Each of these bar members is designed, when the box is in an extended open position to enter and engage one of the groove members 16, as shown in Fig. 5. As these bar members, when in a vertical position extend parallel with the sides of the box, they will prevent either the outward or inward swinging movement of the sides of the box. When the box is in this condition, the only movable parts of the box so far described are the two ends. These two ends are prevented from swinging movement'outwardly from the box by the engagement of the bars in the groove members, but asthe groove members all face into the box, the two endmembers maybe swung inwardly toward the bottom 10. This last described action brings the bar members the groove members and permits the inward swinging movements of the sides 12 and 13, thereby collapsing the entire box. If the ends 14 and 15 are hinged at points close to the bottom 10, they will assume a flat position on the bottom 10, 120

out of engagement with numerals are used for'like parts of as shown in Fig. 1. The sides 12 and 13, however, due to the members 11, are hinged at points some what above the bottom 10, thereby making it possible for the sides to fold downwardly to flat positions onto the ends 14 and 15. By this construction a box is provided which occupies a mini: mum amount of space when in a collapsed or folded condition.

If a box has a bottom of narrow width as cornpared to the height of its side walls, a'construction such as shown in Fig. 3 should be used. In Fig. 3 the side walls are made in two portions 18 and 19 secured together at their adjacent marginal edges by hinge members 20. By this construction the two relatively high side walls, which each consists of parts 18 and 19, are folded so that the parts 18 and 19 rest upon each other and require a minimum amount of space. Also, if it is desired, this same construction can be used when a box is very wide relative to its height. Under such'circumstances the members 18 are used as the sides of the box and the two members 19 used as the lid; each member 19 extending half way over the top or the box.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I show a box construction when it is desired that the box he of a slatted or crate style. In these Figures I use the numeral 21' to designate the slats. These slats are spaced apart and are secured by any suitable to the U-nembers and the bar members above described. In the case of the U-inembers, I merely make the U-members large enough to embrace the ends of the slats and also to accommodate the entrance of the bar members. In Fig. 4 and Fig. 5

I have designated these enlarged groove members of Ll-shape in cross-section by the numeral 22.

The elongated groove members 16 and the bar members 17 may be formed from any suitable sheet metal. In Figs. 6, 8, and 9, I show an allmetal construction having bottom, sides, ends, and top of sheet metal. In these figures like the wooden boxes shown in the previously discussed figures.

When the box is in an open extended condition for use it is undesirable to permit the inward movement of the ends 14 and 15, which would allow the box to collapse. To overcome this undesirable movement of the ends at times I have provided catch members, which I will now describe. Pivotally secured to the upper end portion of each of the U-shaped groove members 16 .is a hook member 23, as shown in Fig. '7. These hook members are so positioned that when swung upwardly they will extend a considerable distance above the top marginal edge of the side members. When placed in a lowered position these hook members are capable of engaging a notch 24 in the upper end portion of the bar member which is engaging the groove member to which the hook member is secured. As'these hook members extend into the box and engage the inner sides of the bar members 1?, the ends 14 and 15 will be prevented thereby from swinging movement to the bottom 10. I have used the numeral 25 to designate a lid hinged at one of its. marginal side edges to one of the box sides, as shown in Fig. 1. By this arrangement, when the lid is in a closed position and the box is in use, the hook members 23 will be prevented from accidentally detaching thorn selveszfrom the notches 24, due to the fact that their upward swinging movement would be stopped by the lid 25. To collapse the box it is therefore necessary to open the lid in orderto permit the manual movement of the hook members from the hatches 24 in the bars 17.

' bers 17.

engaging said groove hers swung In Figs. 10 and 11 I show a somewhat modified form of construction. In these figures the groove members 16 are replaced with a rack, which I have designated by the numeral 26. In each of these racks are a plurality of spaced apart notches 27. The numeral 28 designates headed rivets spaced apart and secured to each of the bar mem- These headed rivets have their heads some distance from the bar member to which they are secured and are designed to enter the notches 27 respectively when the ends and sides of the box are in vertical positions, as shown in Fig. 10.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my improved collapsible box without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a bottom member, side wall members operatively hingedly secured to said bottom member, elongated groove members secured to each end of each of said side wall members, end wall members operatively pivotally secured to said bottom member, a bar member rigidly secured to each side end of each of said end wall members each capable of entering one of said groove members when said side wall members and said end wall members are swung to a vertical position, a bar retaining hook member rotatably secured to each of said groove members so positioned that its swinging move ment for detachment from a bar member extends in a plane above the upper marginal edges of said side wall members, and a lid pivoted to one of said side wall members.

2. In a device of the class described, a bottom member, side wall members operatively pivotally hinged to said bottom member, end wall members operatively pivotally hinged to said member, a bar receiving groove rigidly secured to said side wall members, a bar rigidly secured to each of said end wall members capable of entering and members respectively when said side wall members and said end wall memto vertical positions, a notch in the upper portion of each of said bar members,

a hook member operatively hinged to each of said side wall members capable of being swung to engage a notch in the bar member adjacent to it; said hook members being so positioned that their swinging movement for detachment with said notches will cut a path above the upper marginal edges or said wall members, and a lid hingediy secured to one of said side wall members.

In a device of the class described, a bottom member, end wall members pivoted to said bottom member, side wall members pivotally secured to said bottom, a hook member hingedly secured to each of said side wall members capable of operatively engaging said end wall members respectively when said end wall members and. said side wall members are hook members so positioned that their upward swinging movement for detachment from said end wall members out paths above the marginal edges of said side wall members, and a lid member hingedly secured to one of said side wall members for closing the top of said device and for preventing the upward swinging movement of said hook members when in a closed position.

MAGNETS J. SCHULTZ.

in vertical positions; said two i 

